SAS and Etihad Airways ink codeshare deal in Scandinavia

SAS and Etihad Airways are set to begin codeshare operations and provide customers with enhanced travel options between Scandinavia and the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval, will strengthen both carriers by enabling them to offer greater connectivity to and from a number of key European cities.

SAS is Etihad Airways’ 47th airline partnership globally and its 22nd in Europe.

For SAS, Etihad is the 23rd codeshare partner and the third with strong presence in the Middle East.

Both airlines will also develop and sign a Frequent Flyer agreement, which will benefit the members of Etihad Airways’ Etihad Guest and SAS’ EuroBonus loyalty programs.

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Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ chief strategy officer, said: “This codeshare agreement with SAS will improve flight connections to Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, as well as a number of important secondary cities across Scandinavia, greatly enhancing travel options and connections for air travellers and deepening our ties with Europe and European carriers.

“Partnerships like this one with SAS are central to Etihad Airways’ strategy and we look forward to placing the SK code on our flights to and from Abu Dhabi, and welcoming their passengers aboard our aircraft.”

The deal will see SAS place its SK code on Etihad Airways’ flights between Abu Dhabi and Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Geneva and London Heathrow.

In turn, Etihad Airways will place its EY code on SAS-operated flights from these European destinations, excluding Brussels, onto SAS’ hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm.

The EY code will also be placed on flights beyond Copenhagen to Billund and Ålesund; beyond Oslo to Ålesund, Kristiansand, Trondheim, and Stavanger; and beyond Stockholm to Umeå, Sundsvall, and Östersund.

Eivind Roald, chief commercial officer at SAS, said: “We are very pleased to announce this new codeshare cooperation with Etihad Airways and look forward to increase traffic between Scandinavia and the Middle East.

“Tourism and trade between our regions have increased over the years, and we are happy offer the benefits of both SAS and Etihad Airways to our travellers.

“From seven of SAS’ main European airports we can offer a high quality product with Etihad Airways to and from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

“We also look forward to welcoming passengers from Etihad Airways on-board giving them the true and appreciated SAS experience delivered the Scandinavian way where we focus on making life easier for frequent travellers.”